Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 106, Shloka 15

रावण-सारथि-संवादः

Ravana and the Charioteer: Counsel, Omens, and Battlefield Conduct

Devanagari script

श्रमंतवावगच्छामिमहतारणकर्मणा ।न हितेवीर्यसौमुख्यंप्रकर्षंवोपधारये ।।।।

Transliteration

śramaṃ tavāvagacchāmi mahatā raṇa-karmaṇā | na hite vīrya-saumukhyaṃ prakarṣaṃ vopadhāraye ||

Translation

大いなる戦の働きによる汝の疲れを、我は悟る。この状況においては、汝の武勇がかつての利と優越を現しているとは見えぬ。

Word by Word

• श्रमम्: fatigue, exertion
• श्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• अवगच्छामि: I understand, I recognize
• अवगच्छामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + गम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• महता: by great
• महता: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; ‘रणकर्मणा’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• रणकर्मणा: by the work of battle
• रणकर्मणा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रण + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (रणस्य कर्म); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• हिते: in (your) welfare / as beneficial
• हिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/विषय), एकवचन; ‘उपधारये’ इत्यस्य विषयः

• वीर्यसौमुख्यम्: valor and graciousness
• वीर्यसौमुख्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य + सौमुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (वीर्यं च सौमुख्यं च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रकर्षम्: superiority, excellence
• प्रकर्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘वीर्यसौमुख्यम्’ इत्यस्य सहसमुच्चितम्

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• उपधारये: I consider/attribute
• उपधारये: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + धृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

Context

"Great Ravana! After the strenuous task in the battle, there was no exhibition of your valour, and I did not cognize any superiority in your action."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• battle (raṇa)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes sober assessment: honest recognition of fatigue and diminished effectiveness prevents reckless harm and supports responsible leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

The charioteer explains that Rāvaṇa is worn down and not currently displaying decisive superiority in battle, implying withdrawal is prudent.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthful, welfare-driven counsel—speaking difficult facts for the leader’s protection.